Ignition device



R. N. WOOD.

IGNITION DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 7, 1919.

Patented June 8, 1920.

UNITED STATES ROBERT N. WOOD, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

IGNITION DEVICE.

Application filed April 7, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT N. 001), a citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignition Devlces, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in ignition devices.

hen a multi-cylinder gasolene engine is not firing regularly and one cylinder is missing it is difficult for the inexperienced motorist to locate the trouble. I have conceived means which will serve effectually in locating ignition trouble and in carrying out the invention I include in the circuits leading to the spark plugs, a switch or 011- cuit breaker at each plug. These switches are arranged so that by opening the switch the circuit to the plug is broken. Thus 1f a switch is opened and the sound of the exhaust is changed it indicates that the cylinder is firing, but if the sound of the exhaust is not changed it indicates the cylinder is missing.

The device is arranged to carry out other operations such as partially opening the switch to establish a spark gap and intensify the spark at the points of the plug or by swinging the switch blade into juxtaposition to the base of plug to locate ignition trouble.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a spark plug equipped with a device constructed in accordance with this invention, the switch being closed,

Fig. 2 is a similar view the switch being open and also showing in dotted lines the switch blade swung down to the base of the In P F l g. 1, and

Fig. I is a view of the device at right angles to Fig. 1.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates an angular bracket preferably of spring metal and bent upon itself to form a U- shaped keeper 2. The bracket is perforated to fit on the terminal 3 of a spark plug, so that the keeper is dis osed vertically at one side of the plug. he upper end of the 3 is a. plan view of the parts in Fig.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une S, 1920.

Serial No. 288,072.

keeper is reduced and curved outward so as to move readily. and receive the end of a switch blade 4: entrant between the bracket and keeper. I

A horizontal rigid arm 5 of insulating material is extended from the bracket parallel to the keeper. One end of the arm is fastened to the bracket by a rivet 6. At its outer end the arm is penetrated by a bolt 7. The blade 1 is pivoted on the bolt between the head of the latter and a nut 9 which bears against the outer face of the arm. A nut 8 on the bolt bears against the rear face of the arm, the bolt thus being fastened in the arm by the two nuts. A spring washer 12 is interposed between the bolt head and the blade and serves to hold the latter in positions to which it is swung.

The circuit wire 11 from the distributer or commutator (not shown) is fastened on the bolt by a nut 10. The circuit thus passes from the wire to the bolt 7, over the blade 4 to the bracket 1 and thence to the terminal 3 of the spark plug. The blade has an outwardly directed ear 13 to which is secured a handle 15 of insulating material by a rivet 1 1. The handle is conveniently shaped and extends at substantially right angles to the arm 5.

It will be seen that so long as the blade remains in the keeper 2 the circuit to the spark plug is closed, but should the blade be swung to raise the end of the blade from the keeper, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the circuit will be broken. Should one of the cylinders of an engine be missing there would be no difference in the sound of the exhaust if the blade is swung to break the circuit. The switch blades of the devices on the different plugs may be manipulated until the cylinder giving trouble is located. The free end of the blade may be adjusted to cause the current to jump to the bracket 1, thus intensifying the spark. By swinging the blade to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 the circuit will be grounded through the sleeve of the spark plug and the ignition system thus tested out, by showing or failing to show a spark between the sleeve and the blade.

What I claim, is:

A device of the character described, comprising a metallic strip provided at one end with an aperture for receiving the binding post of a spark plug, said strip extending radially from the spark plug and having at substantially a right angle thereto for its material at its free end bent downwardly forming a substantially U -shaped keeper, the inner arm of the substantially U-shaped keeper being spaced from the spark plug, an insulating arm arranged between said innerarm and spark plug and secured to the inner arm for support, a switch blade pivotally connected near its outer end with the insulating arm and having its free end adapted for movement into and out of the substantially U-shaped keeper, said keeper being adapted to engage the switch blade when within the same for holding it against displacement, and means connected with the switch blade for turning it upon its pivot so that it may be moved out of the keeper and downwardly in proximity to the outer metallic member of the spark plug.

In testimony whereof I afiix my'signaturc.

- ROBERT N. WOOD. 

